And Bon Jovi Sucks Too: Hawks 2, Devils 1 (SO)
Another good game from the Blackhawks? A few more of these and I might have to drop out of that suicide cult I joined.
The Hawks took on the Devils in New Jersey tonight, and at least the game was fast. It was very much a classic Devils game under Lemaire. New Jersey scored first, then sat back and attempted to put everyone in the building to sleep. Lemaire's technique is so well-respected at this point that the Newark police brought him in as a consultant. Using Lemaire's patented system, the populace of Newark was placed into a deep slumber and they actually managed to go a full calendar month without murdering each other.
The Blackhawks were not as cooperative. Anyone who's watched wrestling in the past 20 years knows the sleeper hold never works anymore. So as Antti Niemi struggled valiantly to keep his teammates in the game, the Hawks were finally able to tie the game in the final minute with the extra attacker on the ice, thus seizing the ham sandwich of victory* from the waiting mouth of Devils' goaltender Martin Brodeur and later beating New Jersey in the shootout, forcing Brodeur to consume the bitter ham sandwich of defeat**.
THE GOOD
Antti Niemi - Terrific game from Niemi tonight. He gave up only one goal which had almost no chance on. The Devils actually outshot the Hawks tonight, but Niemi kept the Hawks in it until they finally got the equalizer with 25 seconds to play.
Dustin Byfuglien - Buff stood out tonight. He was in position, he was mobile, he was physical, and he nearly made Martin Brodeur look stupid a couple of times when he faked a dump in, then fired a slap shot on net.
No Penalties: For the first time since 2001, an NHL game was played with no penalties in it. It made for a quick game, and meant we didn't have to see the Hawks abortion of a power play.
THE BAD
Jacques Lemaire - Curse you Lemaire, someday you'll be fired and it will stick. SOME DAY.
The Stench - This is merely speculation on my part, but since the game was in New Jersey, I'd call it an educated guess.
THE UGLY
I was going to use this spot to mock New Jersey again, but that seems too easy at this point. Rather than beat a dead zorse like Forklift, I'll use this opportunity to feature the Rockford Ice Hogs' newest call up. No drizz, not Kyle Beach, I'm talking about Brandon Bollig who fancies himself quite the pugilist. Bollig's the guy in the dark jersey here, so you can judge for yourself.
Up next: The Hawks come home to take on Calgary in an Easter Sunday matchup. Hockeenight's Forklift will provide your coverage of that game, while I'll be developing a plan to defeat the anti-Christ (Jacques Lemaire).
*the one with Miracle Whip on it
**the one with generic brand mayonnaise on it
Posted by CT at 4/2/2010 8:24 PM 
Categories: Chicago Blackhawks, Friday Night Fights, New Jersey Devils
Tags: Devils Antti Niemi Blackhawks Jacques Lemaire
Categories: Chicago Blackhawks, Friday Night Fights, New Jersey Devils
Tags: Devils Antti Niemi Blackhawks Jacques Lemaire
Suicide Cult?
Doesn't that define Hawks fans in general? If not suicide, certainly masochism.
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At the end of the game, Stanley Cup goalie and Devils color man Chico Resch said it all.
"Niemi just made a believer out of me. They've found the goalie who can carry them far in the playoffs."
This was maybe the best team game from the Blackhawks this year.
And CT made out during the Filet O Fish promo, so we can all look forward to a great Easter weekend.
PS Doc Emrick is the best play by play guy in the world right now. Right up there with Foster Hewitt and Danny Gallivan.
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There was nothing that wasn't awesome about this recap. The game was not so entertaining but I saw what I needed to see from the Hawks. They worked their collective ass off to get a fucking stellar result. I am pumped about this win. It makes me feel good. So good.
KYLE BEACH and whoever this dude is are going to be Hawks in the near future and that makes me happy too.
Antti Niemi is making a believer out of me. Who does he think he is? What a game. Bless your sauna lovin', Chinese sword giftin' heart. You lovable Finn. Get over here. Hugs all around.
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Anybody here (Fork) still want to argue with me about whether or not Niemi is a better goalie than Huet? Anybody?
*Silence*
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Fro, you're forgetting that you started making this argument when it wasn't valid.
Only QStache's mishandling of Huet (taking a goalie who plays better with more starts and making him sit for an entire month is a good idea, right?)
Your logic is tantamount to saying steak isn't as good as chicken and using a ribeye that's been in the sun for a week as evidence.
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I respectfully, and with due deference to the sages of HockeeNight, endorse Mr. Fro's position.
Chicken and steak metaphors aside (this being the consequence of Fork's BBQ Friday night), the person responsible for Huet's failure in Chicago is Huet himself.
He was, apparently, well liked in Washington; and a valuable member of that team.
Had he accepted slightly less money from George McPhee (who according to reports wanted very much to extend him), Cris'd probably have become the Number One for the Caps last year and this one, instead of Theo/Varly.
Or maybe not.
Instead, Huet went for the big contract/term courtesy of Mr Tallon, and landed in the bubbling cauldron of Hawkdom.
Clearly, he didn't do well under the pressure of expectations.
Result: fondue.
Numbers being what they are, Huet never established the confidence necessary to lead the team.
For all his flaws, Khabby grabbed the reins last year; and, now, so has Nemo.
Such is the unforgiving life of the pro athlete.
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Fro, I still can't agree with you that Brent Seabrook is a forward.
*dumbass*
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CT already has his Brandon Bollig jersey.
And Fro is basking in AnttiGlow. As he should.
Desperation accompanies the Flaming Lips on Easter Sunday.
Will the bunnies be there for Shoot the Puck?
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I said Brent Seabrook was a forward?
When?
*Dumbass*
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Now you've done it CT. You opened up the Brandon Bollig floodgates.
It's the miracle story of a 23 year old undrafted free agent who got a amateur tryout with the IceHogs and we're falling all over ourselves in excitement over what he's capable of.
Let's not mention that he'll be lucky to suit up in more than one game for Rockford. He's coming to save the day.
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The Brandon Bollig Saga takes on a life of its own:
http://blogs.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2010/04/that_bollig_is_a_fighter_video.html#more
Is Bollig the Hawks' enforcer of the future?
The Hawks signed forward Brandon Bollig Saturday to a two-year entry-level contract that starts next season. Bollig, 23, had 25 points in 42 games for St. Lawrence University.
What the Hawks really signed is a tough guy, one with a Facebook page dedicated in honor of his pugilist skills. (Click here.)
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CT may have found his new hero.
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At least you didn't pick on Springsteen.
The Hawks haven't put two good ones (at least wins) in a while. Hopefully Niemi can show some consistency down the stretch. He is the man, like it or not.
Ribeye in the Sun? That's one of my favorite plays.
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Anybody remember this from '82? My uncle does...
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1125437/index.htm
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"Not only did Chicago rally from a three-goal deficit to win 4-3, but afterward Minnesota Coach Glen Sonmor was so upset with the intimidating tactics of Al Secord, Chicago's 44-goal scorer who also set a club record with 303 penalty minutes this season, that Sonmor called Secord an "idiot" and promised to retaliate: 'In the playoffs we won't go after Secord, we'll go right up to [Denis] Savard and wring his neck.'"
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I was busy being a raffish twenty something in Manhattan in those days, more interested in chasing skirts than following ice hockey.
But I vaguely remember the fights disguised as hockey matches.
This is classic stuff, JD. Thanks.
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I liked this part:
"Pulford stresses disciplined, checking hockey, and the Hawks, who have exceptionally big players, are well suited for that style."
The Hawks had four guys on their roster who were 200 lbs or more. The poor, defenseless North Stars had 11.
I'm betting if Jack Carlson had had his brothers with him, it would have been a different story.
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Jack Carlson...didn't he play for the Charlestown Chiefs (AKA Johnstown Jets)?
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Yep, under the great Reg Dunlop.
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